The upcoming Summit of the Three Factions—an event that seemed unthinkable just recently—had turned the school into a hub of feverish preparation. The Student Council was working themselves to the bone: Sona Sitri, with her usual icy focus, coordinated the actions of dozens of mages from her clan as they strengthened the protective barriers. Tsubaki Shinra rushed about with tablets, checking security protocols. Even the air seemed to vibrate from an excess of magical energy, weaving itself into a complex pattern of defense.
Izayoi Jin watched this bustle with poorly concealed boredom. His role as "consultant" boiled down to appearing at meetings periodically and giving a formal nod in response to reports on barrier strength. He doubted these magical nets could stop anyone truly serious, but he was in no hurry to voice his opinion—that was part of the deal with Sona. Kuro, his familiar, seemed to share his apathy—the black rabbit with crimson-tipped ears dozed serenely on his shoulder, his nose twitching only occasionally in his sleep.
Jin's internal discomfort was amplified by memories of the recent day. The scene by the pool with Xenovia… her absurd proposal and his own ridiculous, almost panicked reaction. He was used to controlling himself, his power, his emotions (or lack thereof), but that straightforward swordswoman had managed to pierce his armor. Where did that flash of embarrassment come from? Annoyance at himself mixed with an incomprehensible feeling of confusion. He shook his head, chasing away the unbidden thoughts.
By noon, his already less-than-ideal mood was completely ruined. Gasper Vladi. That half-vampire he had scolded in the club that morning seemed to have found a new idol. And that idol, unfortunately for Jin, turned out to be him. All day, Jin felt his intense gaze. He noticed a pale shadow flickering in doorways, a pair of huge red eyes peeking out from behind columns. Gasper was clearly afraid to approach, but couldn't leave Jin without his silent adoration either. It wasn't just annoying—it was humiliating. He, Izayoi Jin, was being stalked by a whiny hikikomori vampire.
In the evening, when the school bustle had subsided, Sona asked him to conduct a final inspection of the external barriers. Jin agreed—it was a chance to walk in silence and, perhaps, get rid of his persistent pursuer.
Twilight descended on Kuoh. The sky in the west burned with purple, and the moon had already risen over the eastern horizon. The protective dome over the academy became visible—a thin, vibrating net of blue light emitting a soft glow. Jin walked leisurely along the fence, the portable detector in his hand showing stable readings. He approached one of the power nodes hidden behind thick bushes and touched it with his hand. The barrier's energy felt like a dense, warm field. He pressed slightly, concentrating his power—not to destroy, but to test. The barrier responded with a slight vibration but held. 'Hm, not entirely useless,' he noted to himself.
And then he felt him again. Gasper was hiding behind an old spreading tree nearby. Jin sighed heavily. Enough.
"Are you planning to spend the whole night there?" his voice was even, but with distinct notes of irritation. He didn't turn around, continuing to study the detector readings.
A frightened gasp and the rustle of leaves were heard. A moment later, Gasper emerged from behind the tree, looking guilty at his feet.
"I-I'm sorry… I… I didn't mean to bother you…"
"But you are," Jin finally turned, his gaze cold. "You've been following me all day. I want to know—why?"
Gasper shrank under his gaze. "I… I wanted…" he struggled for words. "You… You said yesterday… about my power… that it's… useful…" he looked up at Jin with a gaze full of desperate hope. "Do… Do you really think so? Even after what I did in the hallway?"
"Just because you can't control it doesn't negate its potential," Jin replied a bit softer. The sight of this trembling vampire evoked in him a strange mix of annoyance and… something akin to responsibility? He had dragged him into this himself, after all. "The ability to stop time is no joke. In capable hands, it's a formidable weapon. And you… you're more afraid of it than your enemies are."
"But it… it's so!.." Gasper started trembling again. "I can't! I tried! Rias-senpai, Akeno-senpai… they taught me, but… I'm scared!"
"Scared because you don't understand," Jin stepped closer. "And because you're waiting for someone to do all the work for you. 'Power of friendship', support of comrades…" He smirked. "That's all well and good, but it won't make you strong. It will make you dependent." He looked at Gasper point-blank. "Are you just going to keep hiding behind Hyoudou and Gremory's backs?"
Gasper flinched at those words. They hit where it hurt most.
"And by the way," Jin added, giving him a critical look. Gasper was still in the same school uniform. "If you seriously intend to become… how did you put it?.. 'manlier', maybe you should start with your appearance? This… love for cross-dressing… doesn't quite fit the 'tough guy' image, don't you think?" He said it almost indifferently, but Gasper flushed crimson.
"Th-this is… I'm just… more comfortable like this…" he muttered, lowering his head.
"More comfortable being a target for ridicule?" Jin shrugged. "Your business. But back to the power." He saw Gasper tense up. "Option one—the easy way. Ask Hyoudou to share some dragon blood. His power, mixed with yours, will likely stabilize your artifact. Fast. Simple. But it will be someone else's power. A crutch. You'll remain in his shadow, in the shadow of the Red Dragon." He paused, letting the words sink in. "Option two—the hard way. Learn to control your power. Yourself. Through sweat, pain, and overcoming fear. It will be long. It will be unpleasant. But in the end, you'll be standing on your own two feet, not leaning on others." He paused. "I can show you how to start. But I warn you—you won't like my method. It has nothing to do with what your 'family' taught you."
Gasper was silent, looking at his feet. The struggle reflected on his pale face. Fear of the unknown, of pain, of Jin's power fought with a desperate desire to change. To become someone else. Someone who wouldn't hide. Someone who could stand beside… him. He raised his head. Tears stood in his eyes, but his gaze was unexpectedly firm.
"I… I want… the second way," he said, his voice trembling, but not from fear, but from resolve. "Please… teach me! I… I'll endure anything!"
Jin looked at him silently for a few seconds. The spark of determination in this vampire's eyes was… curious. Perhaps he wasn't so hopeless.
"Good," he nodded. "Your choice is made. Then let's not waste time." He turned and headed toward the old club building. "Let's go. Training starts now."
"N-now?" Gasper looked fearfully at the dark courtyard.
" When else? Tomorrow? In a year?" Jin didn't look back. "And remember—around me, you don't have to be afraid of your 'accidental' activations. They won't work on me."
Gasper took a deep breath and hurried after him. Kuro, who had been dozing on the grass until now, silently got up and followed them, his ruby eyes intently watching the two figures disappearing into the shadow of the old building.
The backyard of the old club building was the perfect place for training—secluded, hidden from prying eyes, spacious enough. Moonlight flooded the overgrown clearing, giving it a mysterious look.
"So," Jin stopped in the middle of the clearing. "The theory is simple. Your power goes out of control when there's too much of it. So, to learn control, you first need to reduce its amount to a manageable level."
"R-reduce?" Gasper looked at him uncomprehendingly.
"You will use your time stop," Jin explained. "On my command. Until you feel completely exhausted. Until your magical reserves are empty."
Gasper's eyes widened in horror. "B-but… that's… I might…"
"Might feel sick? Yes. Might pass out? Possibly. But you're a vampire, your endurance is higher than a human's. You'll manage." Jin's tone brooked no objections. "When almost no strength is left, that's when we'll start working on control. Learning to trigger and stop the process at will, not at panic's will."
He stepped back a few paces, giving Gasper space. "Ready?"
Gasper swallowed nervously and nodded.
"Start. Stop time. Now."
The vampire squeezed his eyes shut, trying his hardest to concentrate. His thin body tensed. An agonizingly long second passed, another… The air around them shimmered, and the world froze again in unnatural silence.
"Hold it," Jin's voice was the only sound in the frozen world. "Concentrate. Feel the power flowing through you. Feel it leaving you."
Gasper stood, trembling with effort. Minutes stretched into eternity. He felt the energy draining, his muscles weakening, his legs giving way. Finally, he couldn't hold it. The stasis receded. Gasper collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. His head was spinning.
"Get up," came Jin's calm voice. "You lasted longer than I expected. But it's not enough. Again."
"I… I can't…" Gasper groaned, trying to catch his breath.
"You can. Go."
Gathering his last strength, Gasper stood up again. Focus again. Time stop again. This time he lasted less. And fell again, feeling nausea and weakness.
"Again," Jin commanded relentlessly.
"One more time."
"Don't stop."
He forced Gasper to repeat it again and again. Each activation of power took more and more energy, each minute in stasis felt like torture. Gasper felt drained, emptied. Several times he was on the verge of losing consciousness, but Jin's cold, attentive gaze forced him to get up and continue. Jin showed not a drop of sympathy. He simply watched, assessing the vampire's limit of endurance. Cruel? Yes. But he saw in Gasper's eyes not only fear, but stubbornness. That very spark that made him choose this path.
"Enough," Jin said finally, when Gasper, after another activation, collapsed onto the grass and couldn't get up, only breathing heavily. "Feel it? It became easier."
Gasper could only nod weakly. He felt as if all life had been sucked out of him.
"Now," Jin crouched beside him, "when your power is at a minimum, try to control it. Don't freeze the whole world. Just… feel the impulse. Try to 'switch' it on for a split second and immediately 'switch' it off. Focus on the process itself, not the result."
Gasper lay on the grass, looking at Jin's impassive face in the moonlight. He was exhausted to the limit. But he heard the words. Control… impulse… He closed his eyes, trying to find that spark inside himself, that last drop of power that still remained… The first lesson had begun. And it promised to be the hardest of his life.